Mencius and Masculinities: Dynamics of Power, Morality, and Maternal Thinking (S U N Y Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)

In this innovative work, Joanne D. Birdwhistell presents the first gender analysis of the Mencius, a central text in the Chinese philosophical tradition. Mencian philosophy, particularly its ideas about the processes by which a man could develop into a cultivated gentleman, was important to the political thought of China's long imperial order. Through close textual readings, Birdwhistell offers a new interpretation of core Mencian ideas about the heart and the self-cultivation of the great man. She argues that the concept of masculinity advocated by the Mencius is derived, although without acknowledgment, from maternal practices and thinking—through processes of appropriation, inversion, and transformation. She illustrates that even though maternal practices and thinking are an invisible dimension of Mencian thought, they are constantly present in the text through their transcoding with agricultural practices and thinking. In This Work, Joanne D. Birdwhistell Presents The First Gender Analysis Of The Mencius, A Central Text In The Chinese Philosophical Tradition. Mencian Philosophy, Particularly Its Ideas About The Processes By Which A Man Could Develop Into A Cultivated Gentleman, Was Important To The Political Thought Of China's Long Imperial Order. Through Close Textual Readings, Birdwhistell Offers A New Interpretation Of Core Mencian Ideas About The Heart And The Self-cultivation Of The Great Man. She Argues That The Concept Of Masculinity Advocated By The Mencius Is Derived, Although Without Acknowledgement, From Maternal Practices And Thinking - Through Processes Of Appropriation, Inversion, And Transformation. She Illustrates That Even Though Maternal Practices And Thinking Are An Invisible Dimension Of Mencian Thought, They Are Constantly Present In The Text Through Their Transcoding With Agricultural Practices And Thinking.--jacket. Hidden In Plain View : Questions, Issues, And Perspectives -- Text As Cultural Landscape -- Against Shen Nong's Agrarian Masculinity -- Against King Hui's Self-centered Masculinity -- Compassionate Governing : Dynamics, References, And Practices -- Ruling As Son And Younger Brother -- Ruling As Father And Mother Of The People -- Mothers, Feelings, And Masculinity -- Gender, A Continuing Issue. Joanne D. Birdwhistell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 149-154) And Index. "In this work, Joanne D. Birdwhistell presents the first gender analysis of the Mencius, a central text in the Chinese philosophical tradition. Mencian philosophy, particularly its ideas about the processes by which a man could develop into a cultivated gentleman, was important to the political thought of China's long imperial order. Through close textual readings, Birdwhistell offers a new interpretation of core Mencian ideas about the heart and the self-cultivation of the great man. She argues that the concept of masculinity advocated by the Mencius is derived, although without acknowledgement, from maternal practices and thinking - through processes of appropriation, inversion, and transformation. She illustrates that even though maternal practices and thinking are an invisible dimension of Mencian thought, they are constantly present in the text through their transcoding with agricultural practices and thinking."--BOOK JACKET